Coronavirus Information

Springfield’s stay-home order includes an exception "to engage in outdoor activity," specifically "biking, walking, hiking or running." To help keep our community active and provide a break from staying home, outdoor parks, trails and golf courses are open. Residents may still play sports like Tennis, Pickleball and disc golf, as long as they avoid gathering in groups and stay six feet apart, more information on what's open is here. Playgrounds, high-density areas and most Parks buildings are closed. A complete list is here.

Be smart: stay six feet away from anyone you meet, do not gather in groups, cover your cough or sneeze, and if you’re sick, please stay home.

We need everyone’s help making sure our parks and trails stay safe!

Parks Pick-Me-Up

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board is launching a new series called Parks Pick-Me-Up, where our staff, partners and visitors share fun things to do and see in our parks. The series includes health and wellness tips, parks stories, cool places to walk or hike, kids activities and gorgeous photos. During Springfield’s Stay at Home Order, all our content will be things you can do while practicing social distancing and avoid groups.

Golf

The Park Board Golf Courses are OPEN, along with outdoor parks and trails! Golf Course staff members are taking extra measures to keep the course safe, including disinfecting carts after each use, disinfecting common surfaces every 30 minutes, and limiting indoor transactions. Book your tee time and play some golf today!

Archery

Open to the public. Bring your own equipment. Outdoor sight-in range and NFAA field range.

Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park

Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park has a one-acre stocked fishing pond available for catch-and- release fishing. Bring your own bait and fishing pole. Gift shop is closed, no rentals available. Fishing is catch-and-release only, no keepers, and a fishing license is not required. When the weather is nice, swing by and visit the animals in their corrals. Barn and other indoor facilities are closed, except for restrooms.

Dickerson Park Zoo

Although the zoo is closed, you can #BringtheZootoYou! Write a letter to your favorite animal and watch as it’s read on the DPZ facebook page. Email letters to jpowell@dickersonparkzoo.org.

Ozark Greenway Trails

Springfield’s Ozark Greenway Trails features a 75+ mile system of multi-use trails. Check the site to find a new favorite destination, and bike, walk or wheel your way down the trail.

Adopt an Urban Garden

Enjoy the benefits of gardening and growing your own food — even if you don’t have a yard! Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park has raised garden beds available for rent March-October. Choose from 8’x16’ or 16’x16’. You chose what to grow. Maintenance and watering are your responsibility. All garden beds are filled with topsoil and organic matter, with several water sources on site. Plots are open dawn to dusk. Call 471-837-5949 for info.

Tennis & Pickleball

Outdoor tennis courts are open, including Perry Courts, Meador, Gillenwaters, Nichols and neighborhood parks. Players must stay 6 feet from others and avoid gathering in groups.

Disc Golf

Disc Golf is a fun mix of both regular golf and frisbee sports. Outdoor open spaces are open, including the disc golf courses. Players must stay 6 feet from others and avoid gathering in groups. Bring your own discs. Park locations include: McBride School-Park, Oak Grove Park and Tom Watkins Park.

BetterU

Applications are being accepted now through April 30 for the three-month BetterU Challenge, presented by the American Heart Association. Application is open to women 18 and older who are considered at-risk for some type of cardiac event, with the goal of the program being to inspire them to adopt healthier lifestyle changes. Benefits include  increased physical activity, better nutrition, and establishing healthy habits that may last a lifetime. Ten applicants will be selected and notified May 11 and the challenge begins May 30, with an official program kick-off of May 16. The Park Board sponsors several benefits and activities for the 10 selected participants including the following:

• Complimentary 3-month summer individual membership at Chesterfield, Dan Kinney and Doling Family Centers
• Weekly personal training session with parks Fitness staff
• 12 weekly educational classes and physical activities, including:
• Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park Walk – June 6
• Ritter Springs Trail Walk – July 11
• Yoga class at Doling Family Center – July 18
• Water Aerobics class at Doling Family Center – Aug. 22

The program culminates at the Sept. 9 AHA Go Red Luncheon, where participants' personal achievements and success stories will be shared. Participants will also receive free entry to three walk/run events sponsored by different organizations in September, October and November.